Barnet Council has proposed freezing council tax for residents over the next two years.

The plans await approval from the council’s cabinet on February 25, and subsequently full council on March 5, before being introduced.

The budget proposals, which will mean council tax is frozen from 2010 to 2015, are based on the council successfully fighting a judicial review of its One Barnet outsourcing programme next month.

The council is also proposing to raise council house rents by less than the rate of inflation.

Rents are proposed to rise next year by 2.5 per cent compared to a standard government formula that would see rents rise by 4 per cent.

Council leader Cllr Richard Cornelius said: “It is very much my view that one of the key ways in which the council can support residents is by letting them keep cash in their pockets.

“The level of council tax has risen among residents’ concerns this year, even after regular council tax freezes. Residents seem to be making economies elsewhere but finding the fixed cost of council tax a burden.

“I hope residents who see that we are proposing a two year freezing of council tax and keeping rent rises below the rate of inflation understand that we are a council that is relentless in keeping costs down while continuing to run high quality services.”

If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the Ham&High. Click the link in the yellow box below for details.

This newspaper has been a central part of community life for many years, through good times and bad, serving as your advocate and trusted source of local information. Our industry is facing testing times, which is why I’m asking for your support. Every single contribution will help us continue to produce award-winning local journalism that makes a measurable difference to our community.